Biblically Immersed Education
As the school administrator at Upper Bucks Christian School, and a Christian school educator in my 15th year, I have very strong opinions about the benefits and importance of children receiving an education grounded in Biblical truth. As a parent/grandparent, I see the value in Christian education in the lives of those whom I love. It is the time of year when all children are gearing up for another school year. As I reflect on this and prepare myself for another year, I can’t stress enough the importance of children receiving an education that is immersed in Biblical truth and from a Biblical worldview. This education is two-fold and involves both the home and where they receive their “formal” schooling. I believe that the education of one’s child is the responsibility of their parents, and I also believe that the choice of where and how they are educated, whether at home or in a school building is of utmost importance. The content our children are receiving in school and what we are striving to teach them in our home should be consistent. Even more importantly, it should be from a solid Biblical foundation. This parental responsibility regarding the education of their children is a partnership between the parents and the school entity. The partnership is one that requires great consideration, care, and investment on both sides.
In Deuteronomy 6:4-9 Moses, at the inspiration of God, instructs the children of Israel with “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.” While it is true that a lot of education takes place while in school, Deuteronomy makes it very clear that this education does not stop there, and that home is to be an integral part of a child’s education. The consistency between the teaching received in the home and during school is essential, and must be Bible based and grounded in Biblical truth, using Biblically immersed teaching. It can prove detrimental for students to receive teaching from school and home that is not consistent. The onus of this is not just on the choice regarding where our children are educated, but also requires parents to recognize and to live out their important role in the education of their children. What is being taught at home about God – in both words and actions – is critically important in the eyes of God. When we look at the admonition by Moses in Deuteronomy 6, we see an emphasis on words, as well as actions. This is a great responsibility, and one that is important that we take seriously.
Why is this important? In Philippians 2:12-18 Paul exhorts believers “Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure. Do all things without grumbling or disputing, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain. Even if I am to be poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrificial offering of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all. Likewise you also should be glad and rejoice with me.” Paul is emphasizing two things: our own sanctification and being a light. We are to allow God to be working in us to help us grow in our walk with Him. This cannot happen without a strong foundation of understanding Biblical truths. We are then to use our knowledge of the word to live out a life that is a light in our culture. We cannot be an effective light if we are not living a life based on Biblical truth, and we cannot know Biblical truth if we are not immersed in His word. Just knowing Biblical truth is not enough. That knowledge needs to drive us to action, action that lives out the truths we know. There is no doubt that the gap between culture and Biblical truth continues to widen at an alarming rate. The Bible is not a textbook to be compartmentalized into just church time, nor is it to be just an add-on to other facts. The Biblical narrative is the overarching framework for truth and how to make sense of all that is. If we are to have our children (and ourselves) shine as lights in this world, Christians need to think, desire, and act in ways that are consistent with God’s truth as revealed in scripture. The choices we make regarding the education of our children have a huge impact on that.